He wiped his bloody hands on the soaked crimson cloth. A soft sigh escaped as his rage ebbed into a calming storm. The monster no longer roared within him. It was content--for now.

Death filled his senses, bringing with it the promise of peace. He looked out over the night-blackened mountains, towards the glittering heavens.

Why? Why must they be so evil? So selfish! Jezebels, the lot of them.
Hadn’t he been taught that?

Yes. Yes, of course he had. It was his turn now to teach others. They needed to learn the valuable lesson that vows were important, a covenant. The holy sacrament must be kept, not taunted. Not tempted. Never defiled.

Punishment. That is what was needed--punishment and discipline. But, no one must ever know, he shook his head, quite certain of that. No, others would not understand.

The howl of a wolf pulled him from his musings. Thoughts echoed the rage, stirred the monster. No, the monster must sleep, must rest. Had to.

Again he looked down. The moonlight played over her lax features, her red hair dull in the pale light.

She looked so innocent, so perfect.

But it was a lie! A lie! Their purity and fake sweetness hid the whore lurking inside.

Then they smiled. Smiled!

He never looked the other way after that. Someone had to stand for the faithful and true, the honest, Law abiding men. He would, for it was his destiny. He would be the Avenger, the Punisher, the Righteous.

The sluts must pay for their sins and he was seeing to it they were. He gave them back their salvation.

Slowly, he drew in a deep cleansing breath, heavy with the smell of spring. The snows were melting, muddying the air with earthy fragrances.

He should hurry. No one was likely to come along the road at night, but it could happen, campers or hikers. Unlikely, but possible. He looked over into the ravine. The darkness swallowed up the space just beyond him, hiding the bottom, the lush undergrowth, the jagged rocks. Dark clouds skittered over the sliver of moon.

No one would ever know. With one last swipe of the bloody knife on the cloth, he stuffed the dirty rag into her jeans and pushed her over the edge with the toe of his boot. No one would ever find her, and if they did, it would be much too late.

When silence settled around him once more, he turned to leave and felt the euphoria begin to wane. The tension and excitement of the beast unfurled as he drove away from the evil behind him. Berlioz played on the stereo, chimes and strings almost discordant as they swirled together, creating his favorite symphony. A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. He was happy and restful now that the monster had been sated.

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